A runner who has been told by doctors she requires a knee operation in two month’s time has spoken of her determination to complete this year’s London Marathon.

Jodie Fewkes has been largely restricted to training on the beach in her home town of Lowestoft after spending the last ten years suffering from knee problems following a football injury.

But having already raised more than £2,000 for disability charity Papworth Trust, the determined Lowestoft resident is not going to allow anything to stop her taking on the 26.2-mile London Marathon 2017 on Sunday April 23.

Ms Fewkes, 26, said: “I snapped my cruciate ligament while playing football and had to have two operations.

“I ended up having to give up football but doctors have now said I have a crater in my cartilage and my bone is exposed and I need another operation.”

She added: “I have been told running is the worst thing I can do, but there was no question I was going to pull out of the London Marathon.”

The mother-of-two, who is being trained by her uncle David Butcher, explained she will use her children – seven-year-old Teddie and five-year-old Imogen – as inspiration while also paying tribute to colleagues at Santander, in Lowestoft, who have supported her throughout her fundraising campaign.

A quiz night and raffle in November raised more than £1,000 for Papworth Trust’s Waveney Centre in Lowestoft – and Santander have pledged a further £1,000 to Ms Fewkes’ cause.

Jo Revitt, corporate partnership fundraiser at the Papworth Trust, said: “Jodie is a very special and determined lady and we are so grateful to have her support at this year’s marathon.

“The London Marathon has always been something on my bucket list although I have never run more than a couple of miles before.

“I have always watched it on the television and it just seems like an incredible thing to be part of. I just wanted to achieve something while also helping other people.”